A fire at Miller Elementary School on Sunday night has disrupted the start of the school week for students and staff after investigators linked the blaze to a lithium battery stored in a custodial area. The incident, which occurred just before 9 p.m., prompted emergency response from Bend Fire & Rescue and has led to the cancellation of classes for both Monday and Tuesday as cleanup and safety assessments continue.
Fire crews arrived at the northwest Bend campus following reports of flames and smoke near the school’s gymnasium. Upon entering the building, firefighters discovered that the school’s sprinkler system had already activated in a custodial workshop adjacent to the gym, helping to contain the fire before it could spread further. Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki said the sprinkler system’s early response was a critical factor in limiting the damage.
Investigators later determined that the fire originated in a cabinet where a lithium battery had been stored. However, officials have not disclosed which device the battery came from or why it was kept there. The battery’s failure triggered the blaze, causing significant damage to the workshop and leaving it inoperable for day-to-day use.
Firefighters remained on site for about an hour, ventilating the building and removing smoke and water. School staff, including Principal Jennifer Johnson, assisted crews in damage control efforts as they worked to ensure the campus could be safely reoccupied.
“Water on the gym floor and in the custodial office is being cleaned up,” Johnson wrote in an email to families Monday morning.
“The custodial office sustained damage that will make it inoperable today.”
Because of lingering smoke odour and cleanup needs, Monday classes at Miller Elementary were cancelled. Later, Bend-La Pine Schools spokesman Scott Maben confirmed that the school would also be closed on Tuesday as crews continue cleanup work and perform air quality testing throughout the affected areas.
Officials also reiterated safety guidance regarding lithium batteries following the incident. The National Fire Protection Association urges the public to store lithium batteries at room temperature, keep them away from flammable materials, and use only chargers and batteries designed for specific devices. Additionally, people are warned not to leave devices or batteries charging after they are fully charged to minimise the risk of overheating and fire.
Parents and community members are expected to receive updates from school officials as cleanup progresses and plans for reopening are finalised, with the district prioritising a safe environment for students and staff before classes resume.
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